At an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, eight new candidates were recognized.
Photos: ERIN NEUMEYER
On November 21, eight new Eagle Scouts of Troop 223G were recognized at a National Eagle Court of Honor at Sprague Center at the Saint Matthew Parish.
Ruby Rose Carlson, a 2021 Eagle Scout led the convening of the Court, and also presented the awards to new Eagle Scouts Jordan Rae Clouse, Brooke Emily Freyer, Isabella Alicia Hilger, Ella Claire Papac, Luciana Pristine, Michelle Marie Spoeri, Emily Grace Traboulsi and Elizabeth Eloise Walker.
To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a scout must be an active Life Scout holding a leadership position in their troop for at least six months and provide multiple references who can attest to how they have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
They must also earn a total of 21 merit badges, including 13 required badges such as First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, and Environmental Science or Sustainability, as well as conduct a service project which benefits their community or an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America.
Finally, Scouts must participate in a Scoutmaster conference and complete a board of review. According to the BSA, a beginning scout working straight through the program could complete all the requirements to achieve Eagle in approximately 19 months.
SERVICE PROJECTS:
Clouse (Pacifica Christian High School) worked at the metro church and coffee shop, restoring multiple benches, fences and patio furniture and painted walls inside the café and re-potted succulents.
“My personal growth and confidence levels were boosted while being in multiple leadership positions,” Clouse said. “The journey is nothing short of amazing.”
Freyer (Louisville High School) designed, built and stained two picnic tables, with benches, for the Center in Hollywood, a nonprofit dedicated to the breaking the cycle of homelessness by connecting people to the community.
Hilger (Notre Dame Academy) supported Claris Health by building closets and organized storage spaces for low-income families.
“My time in Scouts has developed my understanding of how to survive not only in environmental nature, but also human nature,” Hilger said.
Papac (Torrance High School) designed, built, painted and weatherproofed three benches at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro.
Prestine (Marymount High School) worked in conjunction with the Billion Graves project that documents the gravesites of service men and women buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that Scouting provided to grow and explore,” Prestine said.
Spoeri (Louisville High School) built and installed two bookshelves and a cubby for the school music program at Corpus Christi.
Traboulsi (Notre Dame High School) built succulent gardens for St. Odilia School.
“Being a Scout is more than just camping and backpacking, it’s being willing to grow and challenge yourself to become the person you never thought you could be,” Traboulsi said.
Walker (Oaks Christian High School) painted more than 200 street markers indicating the rows of gravestones in the Los Angeles National Cemetery.
The Walkers, were honored as the family’s fourth child, Elizabeth, also became and Eagle Scout.
Young women were allowed to join Boy Scouts of America in February 2019 allowing them a pathway to become Eagle Scouts.
Troop 223 Scoutmaster Mike Lanning was among the first nationwide to welcome women to the program, which he has led in Pacific Palisades for nearly 70 years. He was recognized this year as the Citizen of the Year for that inclusion.
When the first women were honored last year, Lanning said, “These girls truly exemplify the Troop’s Vision of ‘Young People, leading skillfully, making good choices, serving others.”
The new Eagle Scouts wrote in the program, “We wish to thank Marina Batliwalla, Larry Kirven, Scoutmaster Extraordinaire Michael Lanning, and the Troop 223G Assistant Scoutmasters for their generous dedication and commitment of time, energy, patience and talent. . . .with gratitude.”
Mike Lanning congratulated the new Eagle Scouts at the ceremony on November 21.